The RTX 5090 is the most expensive consumer gaming GPU right now, and while it delivers some of the best gaming performance available, getting one replaced when it malfunctions can be frustrating. A Reddit user in the UK recently experienced black-screen crashes on their RTX 5090 Founders Edition and rightfully sent it to NVIDIA for a replacement.
The user noticed that the physical serial number on the metal bracket wasn't properly readable before sending the card to NVIDIA, and claims they "never opened, modified, repaired, or tampered with the card." NVIDIA held onto the card for over a month before sending it back without providing a reason for rejecting the RMA.
The user contacted NVIDIA again on September 14 and was told the claim was rejected because the serial number on the bracket was unreadable. This was particularly frustrating because NVIDIA's online support chatbot had previously told the user that the RMA would be processed as long as they had the original packaging and proof of purchase. They had both, yet the claim was still rejected.
Other users quickly jumped in to suggest the issue isn't isolated. Several commenters said thermal exposure and placing the serial number near high-wear areas can cause the grey printing to fade during normal use. One commenter shared their experience, saying:
"When I went to take a photo of the serial number, I noticed it was faded almost the same color as the metal bracket it was printed on... It just seems designed in such a way to make it easy to refuse RMAs."
On the other hand, one user said they successfully went through the RMA process for their RTX 5090 despite having the same fading serial number issue. We haven't seen a case like this before, so it appears to be rare. However, it's clear that more than one owner has experienced fading serial numbers, and there are cases on both sides of the RMA process. The bigger question is whether a faded serial number is enough for NVIDIA to reject an otherwise valid RMA claim.
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Can NVIDIA reject an RTX 5090 RMA just because the physical serial number on the bracket is faded?
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For now, RTX 5090 owners have another problem on their hands, if the melting power connectors and soaring prices weren't enough already.
